Developing a Drilling Structure for Arctic Waters

Abstract: Fluor-Doris of Houston has developed a mobile, composite concrete and steel drilling structure called the Arctic Composite Platform (ARCOP). This platform is capable of operations in water depths ranging from 30 to 65 ft (9. 1 to 19. 8 m) and can be relocated with large quantities of consumables onboard. The ARCOP structure can resist lateral loads imposed on it by major ice features. The criteria that were established for the preliminary design of the platform are summarized. The design procedure utilized by Fluor-Doris is described. Functional criteria, environmental criteria, foundation conditions, and the final configuration developed are presented.